Do I fix something that is not broken?
I have a 100% bone-stock 2001 Ford F-350 4X Crew cab 296K, no blow by, all fluids sent in with no red flags, 5in exhaust and Hydra. Tow 18K Fifth Wheel, Final drive limited slip 4.10. Transmission rebuilt at 180K. Has the trailer tow package, so I assume a larger transmission cooler. I purchased it a year ago, and it has been flawless.
Vehicle kept as new and repaired as new.
Air Lift air bags to keep the rear level and all-new bearings, and brakes on both the 350 and the Carri-Lite trailer. New springs on the trailer.
Only use 25HP Heavy tow and the 65HP fuel sipper when unhooked.
Everything is fine, minor manual downshifting required on 6-7% grades (35-42mph) drive with overdrive off about 30-40% of the time. Keep revs 2000-2700 (I don’t lug the engine ever; there's no appreciable diesel mileage difference, and it gets 9.5 MPG towing 18K and 15 MPG when not towing). Only not towing use is when traveling with the trailer unhooked.
No EGT or Trans temp, but honestly, wondering if at my age (73) and over, trying to “go fast” (Have other vehicles for that and don’t use them anymore or rarely)
Looking at the Edge digital setup, but the dash is pretty full as it is. To be blunt, these things are tanks, and the more items I bolt to a perfectly working truck, the more things can go wrong.
If not trying to hotrod it, I might be trying to fix something that isn't broken. Money is not the issue; I am more concerned with reliability.
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Jack Ramsey
been around a day or two
Last edited by ramseyjack; Thu, February 26th, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
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